HR 9382: To require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to link together applications of family members throughout the NEXUS application process, and for other purposes.

HR 9382 in plain English: This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to link the applications of family members who live in the same household during the NEXUS trusted-traveler application process, which allows expedited border crossings between the United States and Canada. One family member would be allowed to schedule interviews for all linked relatives, and joint interviews may be offered. Children under 14 linked to an eligible family member may be exempt from the interview requirement.

Stated purpose

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to link together the NEXUS program applications of family members who live in the same household, making it easier for families to apply together for expedited border crossing between the United States and Canada.

Key points

• Requires CBP to link NEXUS applications of household family members, including parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings
• Allows one family member to schedule NEXUS interviews on behalf of all linked family members
• Permits CBP to offer joint interviews to linked family members
• Children under 14 linked to an eligible family member may be exempted from the interview process

Arguments supporters make

• Applying for NEXUS as a family is currently burdensome because each member must navigate the process separately; linking applications removes unnecessary hassle for households crossing the border together.
• Allowing one scheduling action to cover an entire family saves time for applicants and could reduce administrative backlogs at interview centers.
• Exempting young children under 14 from interviews reflects common sense — they are not independent travelers and their parents or guardians are already being vetted.

Arguments opponents make

• Security screening programs like NEXUS exist to individually verify each traveler; grouping family members together or waiving interviews for children could create gaps that weaken the integrity of the vetting process.
• CBP would need to update its systems within a strict 180-day window, which may strain agency resources or result in an incomplete or error-prone rollout.
• The definition of 'family members' is limited to those in a single household, so blended families or relatives in different homes would still face the old fragmented process, leaving many families without the intended benefit.

Tradeoffs

Making the application process more convenient for families may reduce the individual scrutiny that the NEXUS screening is designed to provide, so the ease gained by applicants must be weighed against the thoroughness of border security vetting.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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